SECAUCUS -- U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) on Wednesday announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a new federal Firefighter Investment Response Enhancement (FIRE) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Secaucus Fire Department in the amount of $61,071. The grant, made through the Fire Prevention & Safety program (FP&S) and the only funding awarded to New Jersey in this cycle, will be used to purchase a safety trailer that will serve as a tool to teach residents how to evacuate a burning home.

Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, a volunteer firefighter and former fire chief, said the funding will be used to purchase a safety trailer that will be outfitted to serve as a simulated burning home. The trailer will be shared with surrounding communities on a rotating basis. It will be used as an educational tool to teach residents how escape a burning home.

"I have been working my entire career - first as a council member, then fire chief and now mayor - to secure this grant for the Secaucus Fire Department, to no avail," said Mayor Gonnelli. "Without Congressman Pascrell's efforts, this would have never happened and I thank him for his commitment to public safety."